itinerary

WELCOME to Istanbul!

MEET your fellow travellers 

EXPLORE the Byzantine wonder Hagia Sophia

WONDER at the Topkapi Palace

ADMIRE the Blue Mosque

DINNER at a cosmopolitan Istanbul institution

START the day with breakfast and Turkish coffee

HAGGLE your way through the myriad stalls of the Grand Bazaar

EXPOSE yourself to the stimulating Spice Bazaar

WALK the streets of the trendy Beyoglu area

VISIT Orhan Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence

DISCUSS the day’s revelations - Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his conjuring of Istanbul - ”in the quest for the melancholic soul of his native city [he] has discovered new symbols for the clash and interlacing of cultures”

SLEEP in and have a lazy breakfast

FREE time to yourself

PERHAPS experience a hamman, walk, shop, read or write

WORKSHOP with Bri Lee

TRY a baklava or a Turkish delight after dinner

FLY to Izmir

WELCOME to Selcuk, the ‘real’ Turkey

WALK the streets with your local tour guide 

STROLL under Roman aqueduct arches

UNCOVER the Byzantine ruins of the Basilica of St John and Ayasuluk Fortress

JOURNEY to Ephesus 

EXPERIENCE Europe’s most complete ancient city

LEARN about the history of the Classical Greek city built in the 10th century BC 

EXPLORE the village of Sirince, a union of Turkish and Greek aesthetics

STROLL the traditional streets and meet the locals

CHOOSE your wake up

WORKSHOP with Bri

DAY at leisure

WANDER the town or visit Kusadasi to have a beach and sea day

PERHAPS visit the House of the Virgin Mary

DRIVE to the cotton palace of Pamukkale

VISIT the Hierapolis, from springs in a cliff 200 metres high

BE WOWED by the calcite waters and surreal landscape

PHOTOGRAPH petrified waterfalls and terraced basins

SEE historic ruins of the Greek thermal spa baths and temples

PILGRIMAGE to Konya to explore the life of Rumi

STOP off at beautiful Egirdir Lake

VISIT the Mevlana museum, the mausoleum of Persian Sufi mystic Rumi

EXPLORE the tradition of whirling dervishes

GO UNDERGROUND at the city of Kaymakli

SEE how the village is constructed around one hundred tunnels

TRAVEL four floors below ground

MARVEL at Cappadocia, one of the beauties of the world

EXPLORE the Goreme Open air Museum with its rock-cut architecture

SUNRISE hot air balloon ride - there is nothing more magical

CHAMPAGNE mimosas and pastries to celebrate your flight

HIKE in Cappadocia’s unexplored valleys and ridges, finding ancient churches and ruins

LEARN about pottery making and the tradition of the area since 1800 BC

DINNER with local family

an invitation from bri

“Turkey has been on my must-visit list for over a decade now, and this trip hits all the highlights. We're starting in magical Istanbul where we'll get to know each other, have the first of our reading and writing workshops, and learn about this beacon of the Silk Road that straddles both Asia and Europe. We're going south to Selçuk for the history and cookings lessons, then onwards to the famous natural wonders of the hot springs at Pamukkale. Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia is going to be so amazing, then we'll come back down to earth (forgive the pun!) with some pottery making with local artisans. 

I learned so much from leading my first literary expedition tour to Morocco. The feedback from the guests (now friends!) on that trip has really helped shape this one. We're going to all be reading Orhan Pamuk's masterpiece, The Museum of Innocence together as we travel and across the 12 days I've scheduled more time for resting and reflection. In the months leading up to the trip you'll get a curated list of other books, movies, podcasts and articles to go through at your leisure. I can't wait to see some familiar faces and meet many new ones.

Turkish history? Fascinating. Turkish food? Delicious. Turkish literature? Amazing. This itinerary is a bit of everything, and will suit any open-minded travellers who love learning and laughing. Our local guides make sure we're being generous and culturally sensitive tourists everywhere we go.”

inclusions

• Workshops facilitated by Bri Lee

• Reading lists and cultural resources shared in lead up to trip for discussion

• 11 nights accommodation in minimum 4 star hotels including cave rooms in Cappadocia

• 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

• 2 internal flights

• Hot air balloon sunrise flight in Cappadocia

• Tete-a-tete with a local literature expert

• Airport arrival and departure transfers

• 24/7 english speaking local tour guide

• Literary tour of Orhan Pamuk’s the Museum of Innocence

• Private transport for 12 days

• Pilgrimage to the resting place of Persian mystic and poet Rumi

• Hike to explore Cappadocia’s hidden architecture and exploration of Goreme Open Air Museum

• Workshop and rest days in Istanbul and Selcuk

• Guided tours of Ephesus, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Konya, Sirince

• Ancient pottery educational workshop in Cappadocia

locations

All the hotels are handpicked to represent their location, whether its the cave rooms of Cappadocia or the harbour of Istanbul - where east meets west and Asia meets Europe.

FAQs

How will we experience awe?

Everyday you will be inspired and exposed to a stunning city, architecture, philosophy. This itinerary is brimming at the gills with history and inspiration. You’ll experience mosques, cave cities, ancient wonders of classical Greece and Rome, thriving bazaars and markets as well as seaside scapes, white and blue calcite terraces, ancient temples and cities that inspired the greats. This is the trip of a lifetime.

How is the trip themed?

The trip is designed to expose you to as much stimuli and inspiration as possible. While our focus is literary, thanks to our host Bri Lee, we will visit icons of architecture, design, religion, history. This can all be used as a jumping point for creativity, reading, and writing. We will send you a reading list prior to the trip so you will learn the art inspired by and set in Turkey.

How do I get there?

Our journey begins and ends in Istanbul. Fly into IST airport, and our representative will pick you up via private shuttle and take you to your accommodation on Day 1. Flight details are needed 45 days in advance. Formal activities start at 1pm on Day 1. Return transfers to the airport will operate on Day 12.

What is the rooming configuration?

The trip is priced on a twin share basis, so you get to know your fellow travellers and have a bestie for the entire journey. To have a room solo, there will be an extra cost of $900. Email us to request this at operations@aweventurer.com

How can I pay?

Pay the deposit now, and we will contact you for final payment due 90 days prior to trip departure. Alternatively, you can pay in full when you book.

How many people will be on the trip?

Minimum ten and maximum group size will be 16.

What should I pack?

• Day pack for carrying essentials.

• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip.

• Sun protection - a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen.

• Insect repellent and hand sanitiser.

• Light layers for the daytime, including more modest clothing for visits to religious sites (clothing items that cover the shoulders, or skirts and trousers that go below the knee).

• Warmer layers for night time.

• Sandals, flip flops, or any kind of water shoe.

• Swimmers.

• Electrical adaptor.

• Water bottle.

What if COVID affects the trip?

We will be watching the border and health situation very closely. Rest assured that if covid impacts the majority of travellers we will postpone to a later date. 

Will there be downtime?

We have purposely designed this trip with more rest time so as you can recharge, read, do some writing, and really take in the incredible places you visit.

Will I need a visa?

Obtaining a visa is the individual responsibility of the traveller. Please note that entry requirements can change at any time. Be sure to check with your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites to ensure you have the correct information.

What does the Aweventurer team do?

We provide the most thorough support for you to have an epic travel experience with us. From an on-the-ground local host to our team at HQ, there is always someone available to help solve any issues you may encounter. Throughout your expedition, a local host will accompany you and your fellow travellers to make sure you have everything you need for an inspiring and safe. You are also able to reach out with any concerns or questions – before, during and even after your trip. We pride ourselves on prompt responses and are happy to hear from you, whether by email, phone or via a Zoom call, on how we could improve your stay or anything we need to prepare before your arrival. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at operations@aweventurer.com